Mokwena calls for Cairo repeat in Pretoria

by Staff Reporter

Friday Mar 10, 2023. 13:00

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena is looking to exploit Al Ahly’s weaknesses on matchday 4 in the CAF Champions League at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Brazilians remain undefeated in Group B after they battled back from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with the Red Eagles at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on February 25.

Sundowns were knocked off top spot by Al Hilal, who beat Coton Sport 2-0 on Tuesday to go two points clear in the group ahead of the clash between the two titans in Pretoria.

Mokwena admits Al Ahly are vastly experienced in Africa’s elite club competition but is confident that Bafana ba Style can keep their undefeated record against the Egyptian giants on home soil intact.

“Al Ahly may have never won in SA but it is difficult to comment on that. When I look at their team, I see players who have got 393 CAF Champions League appearances in their starting lineup,” he said.

“That’s close to 400 appearances in the Champions League and that’s a level of experience we can’t compete with as my team has 170 appearances.

“For sure, without looking too much into the threat that they possess and the quality they have but like any other team, they have weaknesses.

“We did it in Cairo and we have to do it again here, the players have to get used to playing games of consequence. The only way they can get used to doing that is to play these games to get that level of experience.”